One of the unique places to live and visit is Bacolod City. I grew up in Bacolod in the 70s and left the city in 1991 to continue my studies in Manila. I spent one-third of my life in Bacolod and always looked forward to visiting my hometown from time to time.
Across La Consolacion College, where I studied until high school, is the city plaza where you could see people playing chess, “dama”, and debate on any topic under the sun. It is safe to assume that those who engaged in these debates do not have the formal training from law schools, unlike the Attorneys Sarmiento, Templado-Villanueva, Catague and Corral-Respall, who were political science students of University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos. These debates at the city plaza were once featured nationwide since it’s unique to Bacolodnons and Negrenses in general to argue on anything. It is also here where my son, Osmund, got lost during a Masskara Festival in 1991, thanks to his cousins and the police he was returned safe to China Marie, his mother.
Then, there were flower shops across the Bacolod Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace, where the late Bishop Antonio Fortich used to reside. The cathedral is a symbol of freedom in Negros since most priests and nuns plan the rally here against the Marcos regime in the 80s. This is where I first saw Kris Aquino when her late mother spoke to residents asking their support for her candidacy.
There was the Reming’s Restaurant across the plaza, used to be owned by my father’s friend, Tito Rudy. It used to be one of the best places to dine in those times. On the other side was the Manokan Country. As far as I could recall in the late 70s, it was behind Ever Theater before it transferred to the reclamation area. Latest development is that it will be converted into an expansion project of SM and a modern Manokan will rise on the site.
As a student, we were forbidden to go to the reclamation area. They said there were “quick sands” there and some children were buried in the place.
There was the State Theatre across LCC, and China Rose Building on the other side across the plaza where I took my wife for a date at “Popeye’s”. Opposite is the Plaza Mart. Then the Bacolod City hall, and besides it was where my father Ding would have his coffee in Corona Cafe before coming to office. Across our third floor office, I could see Coney Island’s ice cream store. As a child, we used to eat there after eating at Chicken House just a few meters away.
Gaisano Store, Lopue’s, and the Central market are where people go if they need for groceries. We could also find here the jeep stations for Mansilingan and Alijis, where Manong Carling,the “manghihilot”, used to treat his clients from all walks of life. He can make your fever go away with a simple massage. Also near this place was Rizal Theater, where again, I took my girlfriend China Marie for a movie date. It was in this movie house where I personally saw actors Wingwing and Tony Falcon promote one of their movies. Within this area was the Halili Inn, where you could check-in.
Actually, if you want to roam around Bacolod, just ride a jeepney with the Mandalagan-Libertad signage and it will bring you to the plaza. You may also take the Shopping-Libertad route and this, too, pass the plaza. There are only two main streets in Bacolod. Lacson street leads to the north, while Araneta, which starts from the Plaza, leads you to south of Negros.
Life in Bacolod is where your life starts and you wish where it will end. ||
